Social Action is a key part of an Etonian’s education, and it covers many different facets. From volunteering to fundraising to devising their own projects, all Etonians are encouraged to take part in some form of social action during their time at school.
This academic year it was wonderful to be able to run the judging of our social impact prizes in person. The Social Impact Challenge for Years 9, 10, & 11 saw the highest number of entries yet – six teams presented their impressive charitable endeavours to a panel of judges made up of teachers and students. The winning team’s charity, the Trussell Trust, will be one of Eton Action’s charities for the upcoming academic year. Congratulations to Max H and Joshan D in Year 11.
The Khemka Social Impact Prize for Years 11, 12, & 13 saw presentations of the highest standards yet – four teams presented their entrepreneurial solutions for local or global social problems to a panel of judges, including Mr Uday Khemka OE. The presentations were of such a high standard that two prizes were awarded, one for a group that focused on a local problem and one which focused on a global problem. Congratulations to Year 12 pupils Ashley L, Rufus D, and Mylo M for their project ‘Helping People Get Back on their Feet’ and Year 12 pupils Ben L and Julius C for their project ‘Mental Health Notebook.’
Social Action and Career Education come together every year for the student consultancy programme, where pupils act as consultants for a charity. This year, 10 pupils worked with Project Luangwa, a charity that sponsors education in the Luangwa Valley in Zambia, and with Honeypot Children’s Charity, which supports young carers in the UK. Pupils were taught how to research and compile a report about a project put forth by the charities, not only gaining some work experience but also knowledge about the charitable sector.
Etonians have also been active with our partner schools and organisations. Pupils and staff participated in IntoUniversity’s Tour d’Oxford 2022, a 60km cycle to raise funds for the organisation. Through their efforts, over £1,500 was raised. In addition to fundraising, our Environment at Eton students spent two terms planning a lesson on biodiversity and teamwork, which they delivered to groups of primary school students over Zoom at IntoUniversity centres in Clacton, Liverpool, and Coventry. Everyone enjoyed working together and sharing their posters on oceans, grasslands, jungles and deserts.
It has been fantastic for our pupils to be able to actively participate in social action once again. We look forward to the start of the new academic year for even more ways to get involved!
